Materials Characterization Paper 

In support of the 

Final Rulemaking: 

Identification of Nonhazardous Secondary Materials That Are Solid Waste 

Traditional Fuels and Key Derivatives 

February 7, 2011 

 

1 Introduction1

 This document uses the best readily available data to summarize the features, 

composition, and characteristics of both traditional fuels used in stationary combustion 

sources and their key derivatives. Refer to the final rule for the types of fuels that are 

defined as “traditional fuel” under the rule. This paper describes traditional fuels as fossil 

fuels (coal, fuel oil and natural gas) and wood. Derivatives include: 

• Coal-based derivatives: bituminous coke, coal tar oil, blast furnace gas, and 

coke oven gas, and 

• Petroleum-based derivatives: petroleum coke, refinery gas, and asphalts. 

 For each fuel, this memorandum presents the following information to the extent 

readily available: 

 

1. Chemical Composition. Fuels are often described by an ultimate and/or 

proximate analysis. An ultimate analysis is an elemental analysis of major 

components, typically carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur as well as 

ash.2

 Meanwhile a proximate analysis determines the moisture, volatile matter, 

fixed carbon and ash content of the fuel. Gaseous fuels and some liquid fuels can 

also be described by their constituent compounds. In general, the compositional 

analysis is presented on a weight basis for liquid and solid fuels and on a 

volumetric basis for gaseous fuels. 

2. Heating Value (Calorific Value). The heating value of a fuel is its energy value 

or its heat of combustion (i.e., the energy released when a unit mass (or volume) 

of the fuel is burned). The heating value of a fuel may be measured according to 

its higher heating value (HHV) or its lower heating value (LHV). The HHV, or 

the gross heat of combustion, is the energy released when the products of 

combustion are brought to a standard temperature and any water produced from 

the process is condensed. The LHV, also referred to as the net heat of 

 

1 EPA intends to maintain this paper to assist in the implementation of the final rule. 2

 For example a typical ultimate analysis might be: 60% carbon, 15% hydrogen, 10% oxygen, 3% nitrogen, 

2% sulfur, and 10% ash. Ash, while part of the ultimate analysis, is shown separately because it represents 

a fraction of the fuel that does not burn. 
 

2

combustion, treats the moisture produced from combustion as vapor. Unless 

specified otherwise, all heating values presented in this document are HHVs and 

will be presented on an as-received basis (i.e., with moisture and ash included). 

3. Composition of Non-Fuel Constituents and Impurities. Non- fuel constituents 

include gases with no fuel value such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and inert gases 

as well as moisture and ash. Impurities (i.e., contaminants) may include sulfur 

compounds and trace metals such as mercury, vanadium, cadmium, chromium 

and lead. Impurity levels are typically presented as parts per million by weight 

(ppm) or parts per million by volume (ppmv) 

We present this information by the major fuel groupings outlined above. Section 

2 describes coal and its derivatives. Petroleum-derived fuels are detailed in 

Section 3, while Section 4 presents information on natural gas. Section 5 

provides the composition and other characteristics of wood. 

Limitations of this Analysis: 

 

• This document presents information that is readily available from engineering 

reference publications and reputable online sources. A search of scientific, peerreviewed journals was not performed due to time and budget constraints. We 

recognize that this paper could possibly be enhanced with additional research and a 

formal peer review. EPA intends to maintain the material characterization paper 

for traditional fuels for use in implementation. 

• When possible, we present composition and heating values that are representative 

of the values associated with a given fuel. However, for some fuels where the 

available data were limited, we present data from specific samples that were readily 

available. These sample data may or may not be representative. 
 

3

2 Coal & Derivatives 

2.1 Coal 

The ASTM (Method D-388) classification for coal ranks coal into four primary 

classes based on its volatile matter and fixed carbon content as well as its heating value. 

The four categories (highest to lowest rank) are: 

I. Anthracite 

II. Bituminous 

III. Sub-bituminous 

IV. Lignite 

Each of these classes is further divided into subclasses by the ASTM 

classification. In general the higher rank coals have higher carbon content and lower 

hydrogen and oxygen content in comparison to the lower ranked coals. Most coals burned 

in combustion units are either sub-bituminous or bituminous. 

 

Anthracite: Anthracite coal is glossy black, hard, and by definition has a fixed 

carbon content of more than 86% (dry, ash free basis) and a volatile content of 

less than 14% (dry, ash free basis). Heating values typically are on the order of 

13,000 Btu/lb. Anthracite coal is primarily found in northeastern Pennsylvania, 

and represents less than 2% of the US coal demonstrated reserve base.3

 

Bituminous: Bituminous coal in general has lower fixed carbon (<86%, dry, ash 

free) and higher volatiles than anthracite. This coal has banded layers that 

alternate between glossy black and dull black. Heating values for bituminous coal 

range from 10,500 to 14,000 Btu/lb.4 Bituminous coals are the most abundant 

class of coal in the US and make up 53% of the demonstrated US coal reserve. 

Bituminous coal is found in many states east of the Mississippi River, including 

Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. 

Sub-bituminous: These coals are also black in color but with less banding and a 

higher moisture content than bituminous coals. Heating values range from 8,500 

to 11,000 Btu/lb. Although heating values are lower than for bituminous coal, 

sub-bituminous varieties in the US tend to have a relatively lower sulfur content 

than bituminous coals. Sub-bituminous coal represents approximately 37% of US 

coal reserves; sub-bituminous reserves are highest in the states of Montana and 

Wyoming. 

Lignite: This is the lowest ranked coal. Lignite has a brown-black color and is soft 

relative to the other types of coal. Heating values may range from 4000-8000 

 

3 http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/coal/reserves/reserves.html, Accessed Nov 2008 4 Coal’s color is indicative of its age. As coal ages in the ground, its color changes from brown to dull 

black to glossy black. 
 

4

Btu/lb. Lignite is found in North Dakota, Montana and Texas and accounts for 

about 9% of US coal reserves. 

 

 Table 2-1 presents composition and heating value data for select US Coals for 

each of the classes described above.5,6 The table includes sample values from the 

literature as well as constituent data reported to EPA as part of the Clean Air Act Section 

112 Boiler MACT rulemaking and the Section 129 rulemaking for commercial and 

industrial solid waste incinerators. Note that the data in Table 2-1 are sample values; 

properties may vary widely within each rank. 

Chemical Composition. As indicated in Table 2-1, most ranks of coal consist primarily of 

carbon. 

Non- Fuel Constituents. Moisture and ash represent the non-combustible constituents in 

coal. The primary components of ash are silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, ferric oxide, 

and calcium oxide. (See Table 2-1) 

Contaminants. One trace constituent of particular concern in coal is mercury. The 

mercury content of coal ranges from less than 0.1 ppm to 1.8 ppm with a median value of 

0.11 ppm for the sample data in Table 2-1 obtained from the literature.7

 Approximately 

80% of these samples tested below 0.25 ppm. Coal may also contain several other metals 

such as arsenic, chromium and manganese as shown in Table 2-1. 8

Trace Organics: Data on trace organics in U.S. coal are not readily available. One study 

from Spain, however, analyzed five Spanish and South African coal samples for volatile 

organics.9 Of the several organics detected, only two were 40 CFR 261 Appendix VIII 

hazardous constituents. Results for these two organics are shown in Table 2-1. 

Additional information on the characteristics of coal is available in the US 

Geological Survey coal quality database, which has information on over 7,000 Coal 

samples.10

 

5

 Avallone, E.A., & Baumeister, T.(eds), “Mark’s Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers,” 9th

Edition, 1987, p 7-19 

6

 The values shown in the table only describe the specific samples shown although they were selected to be 

representative of the rank in general. 

7

 US Geological Survey, 2001 “Mercury in Coal- Abundance, Distribution, and Modes of Occurrence, 

USGS Fact Sheet FS-095-01 

8

 Davidson, R. A., “Trace Elements in Coal” 1996, Energeia, v.7, No.3, University of Kentucky, Center for 

Applied Research. 

9 Fernandez-Martinez , G., et al, 2000, “Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Coal, Fly Ash, 

and Slag Samples by Direct Thermal Desorption/GC/MS, Analusis, v 28, pp 953-959

10 Bragg,L., et al, USGS Coal Quality (COALQUAL) Database: Version 2.0, 

http://energy.er.usgs.gov/products/databases/CoalQual/index.htm, accessed Nov 2008. 
5

Table 2-1: Composition of Various Coal Types 

COMPONENT UNITS

Sample Values from Literature Values as reported in 

COAL – Int’l 

Sample 

AVG 

(RANGE)1,2,3

ANTHRACITE 

(Lackawanna, 

PA) 5,6

BITUMINOUS 

(Marion, 

WV)5,6,7

SUBBUTUMINOUS 

(Sheridan, 

WY)5,6,8

LIGNITE

(McLean, 

ND)5,6

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(AVG) 4,10

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(RANGE)4

Water content wt% 

5.2 

(1.7 – 17) 5.3 2.3 22.2 36.8 - - 

Volatiles wt% 

37.8 

(7.9 - 55.4) 4.1 36.5 33.2 27.8 2.37,8 - 

Ash wt% 

9.4 

(2.9 - 17.7) 9.6 5.2 4.3 5.9 5.27,8 - 

Caloric Value: HHV Btu/lb 

32,390 

(26,232 - 

35,688) 12,880 14,040 9,600 7,000 - - 

Caloric Value: LHV calc Btu/lb 

31,324 

(25,183 - 

34,870) - - 

Elements below are not additive with above components 

All Values 

below are 

measured on 

a dry basis 

All Values below are measured on an as received basis 

Carbon (C) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

783,000 

(605,000 - 

916,000) 797,000 784,000 539,000 406,000 - - 

Hydrogen (H) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

49,200 

(35,000 - 

58,300) 29,000 55,000 69,000 69,000 - - 

Oxygen (O) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

(132,000) 

23,000 - 

337,000 61,000 85,000 334,000 451,000 - - 

Nitrogen (N) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

14,100 

(7,600 - 

19,000) 9,000 16,000 10,000 6,000 12,700 9800 - 15400 

Sulfur (S) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

13,900 

(3,100 - 

57,900) 8,000 8,000 5,000 9,000 19,700 5800 - 43600 
6

Table 2-1: Composition of Various Coal Types 

COMPONENT UNITS

Sample Values from Literature Values as reported in 

COAL – Int’l 

Sample 

AVG 

(RANGE)1,2,3

ANTHRACITE 

(Lackawanna, 

PA) 5,6

BITUMINOUS 

(Marion, 

WV)5,6,7

SUBBUTUMINOUS 

(Sheridan, 

WY)5,6,8

LIGNITE

(McLean, 

ND)5,6

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(AVG) 4,10

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(RANGE)4

Chlorine (Cl) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

1,440 

(30 - 7,380) - 1,240 100 - 3500 

Fluorine (F) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

160 

(130 – 180) - 66.8 5 - 158 

Bromine (Br) 

mg/kg (ppm) - - - - 

Aluminum (Al) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

8,882 

(146 - 

15,800) - - - 

Arsenic (As) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

8 

(5 – 11) 0.5-80 4.419 0.49 - 17 

Boron (B) 

mg/kg (ppm) 47 - - - 

Barium (Ba) 

mg/kg (ppm) 290 - - - 

Beryllium (Be) 

mg/kg (ppm) - 0.1-15 1.353 0.013 - 4 

Calcium (Ca) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

3,750 

(1,800 - 

5,700) - - - 

Cadmium (Cd) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

0.8 

(0.6 – 1) 0.1-3 1.131 0.011 - 5.47 

Cobalt (Co) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

3.3 

(2 - 4.5) 0.5-30 6.512 0.056 - 40.9 

Chromium (Cr) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

10 

(2 – 18) 0.5-60 15.669 2.5 - 121.3 

Copper (Cu) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

20 

(17 – 23) - - - 

Iron (Fe) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

4,313 

(2,940 - 

6,900) - - - 

Mercury (Hg) 

mg/kg (ppm) 2 0.1-1.8 0.101 0.02 - 0.75 
7

Table 2-1: Composition of Various Coal Types 

COMPONENT UNITS

Sample Values from Literature Values as reported in 

COAL – Int’l 

Sample 

AVG 

(RANGE)1,2,3

ANTHRACITE 

(Lackawanna, 

PA) 5,6

BITUMINOUS 

(Marion, 

WV)5,6,7

SUBBUTUMINOUS 

(Sheridan, 

WY)5,6,8

LIGNITE

(McLean, 

ND)5,6

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(AVG) 4,10

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(RANGE)4

Potassium (K) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

1,686 

(140 - 3,610) - - - 

Magnesium (Mg) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

1,150 

(800 - 1,500) - - - 

Manganese (Mn) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

132 

(53 – 210) 5-300 25.977 7 - 223 

Molybdenum (Mo) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

1.8 

(1.5 – 2) - - - 

Sodium (Na) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

723 

(300 - 1,420) - - - 

Nickel (Ni) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

10 

(3 – 17) 0.5-50 15.363 2.26 - 34 

Phosphorus (P) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

245 

(160 – 330) - 161.921 0.069 - 1400 

Lead (Pb) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

14 

(7.4 – 20) 2.0-80 8.398 1.34 - 32 

Antimony (Sb) 

mg/kg (ppm) 3 0.05-10 11.070 0.027 - 235 

Selenium (Se) 

mg/kg (ppm) 2 0.2-10 2.162 0.42 - 6.49 

Silicon (Si) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

18,950 

(17,900 - 

20,000) - - - 

Tin (Sn) 

mg/kg (ppm) 1.2 - - - 

Strontium (Sr) 

mg/kg (ppm) 95 - - - 

Tellurium (Te) 

mg/kg (ppm) - - - - 
8

Table 2-1: Composition of Various Coal Types 

COMPONENT UNITS

Sample Values from Literature Values as reported in 

COAL – Int’l 

Sample 

AVG 

(RANGE)1,2,3

ANTHRACITE 

(Lackawanna, 

PA) 5,6

BITUMINOUS 

(Marion, 

WV)5,6,7

SUBBUTUMINOUS 

(Sheridan, 

WY)5,6,8

LIGNITE

(McLean, 

ND)5,6

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(AVG) 4,10

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(RANGE)4

Titanium (Ti) 

mg/kg (ppm) 450 - - - 

Vanadium (V) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

17 

(7 – 27) - - - 

Zinc (Zn) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

15 

(14 – 15) - - - 

Ash Composition (% of Ash) (not additive with above values)6Silicon Dioxide 

% of Ash - 20-60 - - 

Aluminum Oxide 

% of Ash - 10.0-35 - - 

Ferric Oxide 

% of Ash - 5.0-35 - - 

Calcium Oxide 

% of Ash - 1.0-20 - - 

Magnesium Oxide/ Titanium Oxide/ Sodiium Oxide/ Potassium Oxide 

% of Ash - Trace - - 

Trace Organics7dBenzene ppm - 5.0-38 - - Toluene ppm - 9.0-56 - - 
9

Table 2-1: Composition of Various Coal Types 

COMPONENT UNITS

Sample Values from Literature Values as reported in 

COAL – Int’l 

Sample 

AVG 

(RANGE)1,2,3

ANTHRACITE 

(Lackawanna, 

PA) 5,6

BITUMINOUS 

(Marion, 

WV)5,6,7

SUBBUTUMINOUS 

(Sheridan, 

WY)5,6,8

LIGNITE

(McLean, 

ND)5,6

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(AVG) 4,10

COAL: 

BITUMINOUS 

(RANGE)4

Notes:1. All figures reported as the average composition of a group of coal types. Data reflects some non-U.S. sources of coal - Types of coal include anth(Including UK HemHeath, Colombian El Cerajon, Illinois No. 6, Polish), daw mill coal, Iowa rawhide coal, KY No. 9, lignite, Pittsburg #8 HVAB coa

Rhenish brown coal, sub-bituminous coal, WV rank D.2. Phyllis, database for biomass and waste, http://www.ecn.nl/phyllis, Energy research Centre of the Netherlands 3. Cells without ranges indicate that only one sample is used for measurement. 4. (a) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010b. Emissions Database for Boi

Containing Stack Test, CEM, & Fuel Analysis Data Reported under ICR No. 2286.01 and ICR No. 2286.03 (version 5), EPA Docket/Document Number EPA

30, 2010; (b) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010. CISWI 2009 Databas

Docket/Document Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-0045. April 13, 2010. 5. Trace metal levels and ash composition are average ranges for coal and do not specifically refer to other samples presented here. 

6. (a) Avallone, E.A., & Baumeister, T.(eds), “Mark’s Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers,” 9th Edition, 1987, p 7-19; (b) US Geological Surve

Abundance, Distribution, and Modes of Occurrence, USGS Fact Sheet FS-095-01; (c) Davidson, R. A., “Trace Elements in Coal” 1996, Energeia, v.7, No.

Center for Applied Research; (d) Fernandez-Martinez , G., et al, 2000, “Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Coal, Fly Ash, and Slag Sampl

Desorption/GC/MS, Analusis, v 28, pp 953-959. 7. Values represent a sample of bituminous coal from Marion, WV. 8. Values represent a sample of sub-bituminous coal from Sheridon, WY. 9. Database reports both as received and dry basis values. These values are as received. 10. Some maximum values appeared unrealistically high, so average values are presented. 11. Values represent average heating value for each sample. High and low heat values were not readily available.
 

10

2.2 Fuels Derived from Coal 

 

Bituminous Coke – Bituminous coke is 

derived from the destructive distillation 

or pyrolysis of bituminous coal. This 

involves heating coal to very high 

temperatures (over 1000 °C) in the 

absence of air in a furnace. Much of the 

moisture and volatile components are 

driven off leaving behind a product high 

in carbon. While coke is the desired end 

product of the distillation/pyrolysis 

process, fuel gases, tar and oil with fuel 

value are also typically produced. A 

large fraction of bituminous coke 

(approximately 90%) is burned in blast 

furnaces for steelmaking. The remainder 

is largely used in foundries and for space 

heating. 

Table 2-2 shows the typical chemical 

composition and heating value of 

bituminous coke. Unsurprisingly, the 

fixed carbon and ash content are much 

higher than the corresponding values for 

coal. The heating value of bituminous coke is comparable to coal. Table 2-2 also 

presents composition and heating value estimates for coke breeze, an undersized coke 

(particle size < 15 mm), comprising about 5% of the total bituminous coke production. 

Coke breeze is not suitable for firing in a blast furnace but is typically used for steam 

generation. Information on the impurities contained in blast furnace coke is not readily 

available, but such information is available for coke breeze, as shown in Table 2-2.11

 

11 Ocean Surveys Inc., 2005, Site Demonstration of the AQUABLOKTM Sediment Capping Technology, 

http://www.hsrc-ssw.org/6MonthAppH.pdf, accessed November 2008 
 

11

Coal Tar Oil: Coal tars are liquid products of the carbonization process to produce coke. 

They may range from free-flowing, low viscosity liquids to highly viscous coal tar pitch. 

Table 2-3 shows an ultimate analysis of coal tar fuels CTF 50 and CTF 400.12, 13 The 

table also presents estimates of the heating value for CTF 50 and CTF 400, as well as 

information on the non-fuel constituents and trace metals in these fuels. 

Table 2-3 also presents viscosity values 

for CTF 50 and CTF 400, expressed in 

centistokes (cSt). For comparison, water 

has a viscosity of about 1 cSt at 20°C 

and a liquid with a viscosity of 2 cSt at 

20° would have twice the viscosity of 

water.14

Because coal tar oil is made up of a 

complex mixture of more than a 

thousand individual compounds, 

fractional distillation of coal tar oil can 

yield a spectrum of compounds for use 

in resins, polymers, motor fuel, wax and 

electrode compounds.15

Coke Oven Gas: Coke oven gas is the 

gaseous non-condensable fraction 

generated from the coke production 

process. As the analysis (by component) 

in Table 2-4 shows, coke oven gas is 

primarily composed of hydrogen and methane. The heating value is approximately 600 

Btu/ft3 and is about 55-60% that for natural gas (on a volume basis). 

Impurities in coke oven gas may include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and hydrogen 

cyanide.16,17 Table 2-4 also shows the specific gravity of coke oven gas.18

 

12 Perry, R.H., Green, D.W., Mahoney, J.O., “Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, 1997, 7th Edition, 

McGraw Hill.. 

13 CTF stands for coal tar fuel. The designation CTF 50 and CTF 400 indicate the temperature to which the 

oil must be pre-heated (50 °F and 400°F, respectively) in order to be atomized in a burner. 14 Viscosity values shown is for kinematic viscosity = dynamic viscosity/density. Note viscosity decreases 

with temperature for liquids. 

15 Skov, E.R., et al, “Coal Tar Chemicals and Syncrude Oil Production from Low-Rank Coals using MildTemperature Pyrolysis,” Proc of AICHE Spring National Meeting, Houston, TX, April 2007. AICHE 

Session 16002.

16 Kohl, A., et al, 1997 “Gas Purification,” Gulf Professional Publications. 17 Note that for many gaseous fuels, impurities such as ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide are mostly 

removed prior to being used as a fuel in a boiler 

18 Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of the substance to a reference substance. The reference 

substance is air for a gas and water for a liquid. 
 

12

Blast Furnace Gas: Blast furnace gas is a low quality gas that is a by-product of the 

blast furnace reduction process. Table 2-4 presents volumetric composition and heating 

value estimates for this fuel. Although the heating value is low, the amount of gas 

generated by blast furnaces makes it economically feasible to recover the energy.19 The 

energy value is low because approximately 70% of the volume of this fuel is made up of 

nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Blast furnace gas may include small quantities of impurities 

including hydrogen cyanide.20 Table 2-4 also shows the specific gravity of blast furnace 

gas. Blast furnace gas is either burnt as fuel or flared. 

 

19 Culp, A.W., 1979, “Principles of Energy Conversion,” McGraw Hill. 20 Gupta, C.K., 2006, Chemical Metallurgy: Principles and Practice,Wiley-VCH 
 

13

3 Petroleum Fuels 

This section presents characterization data for fuels produced by petroleum 

refineries as well as their derivatives. Although transportation fuels (e.g., gasoline and 

diesel) make up most of the petroleum-based fuel sold in the U.S., this section focuses on 

petroleum fuels utilized by stationary combustion sources. 

3.1 Fuel Oil 

The term fuel oil may refer to any product derived from petroleum that has 

volatility lower than that of gasoline. The ASTM D396-2(a) specification divides fuel oil 

into several classes, from fuel oil No.1 to fuel oil No. 6, based on boiling range, 

composition, and other physical properties. Fuel oils are generally classified as either 

distillate or residual based on whether they are vaporized in normal refining operations. 

Usually, fuel oils No. 1 and 2 are distillate fuels; No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils are residual 

fuels, and No.4 is a blend of distillate and residual fuels.21 Note that diesel has similar but 

not identical properties and specifications to fuel oil No.2. 

Table 3-1 provides heating values and typical physical properties of various 

classes of fuel oil such as flash point, specific gravity, API gravity, and viscosity.22 The 

flash point is the temperature to which the liquid must be heated to produce vapors that 

flash but do not burn continuously. API gravity is calculated by: 

131.5

@60

141.5 = − specific gravity F

API Gravity

 

21 USEPA, “AP 42: Compilation of Air Pollution Emissions Factors, Vol I: Stationary Point and Area 

Sources,” 5th Edition, 1995, Ch.1.3 Fuel Oil Combustion. Distillate fuels are lighter, less viscous, and have 

a lower boiling range when compared with residual fuels. 22 Property values from, Stultz & Kitto, eds, “Steam: It’s Generation and Use,” 40th Edition, 1992, p 8-14. 

Table 3-1: Heating Values and Typical Properties of Fuel Oils 

 Fuel Oil 

No. 1 

Fuel Oil 

No. 2 

Fuel Oil 

No. 4 

Fuel Oil 

No. 5 

Fuel Oil 

No. 6 

Heating Value (Btu/lb) 19800 19500 18800 18600 18200 

Flash Point (Celsius) 38 38 55 55 65 

Special Gravity 0.81-0.83 0.82-0.89 0.87-0.97 0.92-0.97 0.92-1.02 

API Gravity 40-44 28-40 15-30 14-22 7-22 

Viscosity (cSt)1 1.4-2.2 2.0-3.6 6-27 30-160 90-640 1

Viscosity values are given at 38 degrees Celcius and at 50 degrees Celsius for Fuel Oil #6. 

Sources: Stults & Kitto (1992), Perry et al. (1997), USEPA (1999) 
 

14

Heating Values. Fuel oil heating values range from 18,000 to 20,000 Btu/lb or 130,000 to 

150,000 Btu/gallon. As indicated in Table 3-1, residual fuel oils are extremely viscous 

and must be heated in order to be transported and atomized in a burner. 

Moving along the scale from No. 1 fuel oil to No. 6 fuel oil, the characteristics of fuel oil 

changes as follows: 

• The boiling point increases. For No. 1 oil, the boiling points of the different 

constituents range from 150-300 °C, while for No. 6 oil this range is 200-550 °C. 

• The density increases (i.e., API gravity decreases) 

• Viscosity increases from an average of about 1.8 centistokes (cSt) for No. 1 Oil to 

90-400 cSt for No. 6 oil. 

• Heating values decrease slightly. 

Composition: Fuel oils are primarily composed of hydrocarbons, specifically paraffins, 

isoparafins, napthenes and aromatics. Table 3-2 provides information on organic 

compounds in various fuel oil types. Table 3-3 gives elemental constituent concentrations 

for various fuel oils and fuel oil mixtures. 

Impurities: As indicated in Table 3-3, the heavier fuel oils have higher levels of sulfur 

than the lighter fuel oils. 
 

15

Table 3-2: Organic Compound Constituents in Fuel Oils 

COMPONENT UNITS NO. 2 

FUEL OIL1

NO. 4 

FUEL 

OIL 

NO. 5 

FUEL 

OIL1,2

NO. 6 

FUEL OIL1

NO. 2-6 

FUEL 

OIL3

DIESEL 

FUEL 

Naphthalene ppm 

2,000 -

4,000 - 34.30 - 3,500.00 - 

C1-Naphthalene ppm - - 4,086.90 - - - 

C2-Naphthalene ppm - - 4,865.40 - - - 

C3-Naphthalene ppm - - 4,793.70 - - - 

C4-Naphthalene ppm - - 2,688.50 - - - 

Biphenyl ppm - - 3.50 - - - 

Acenaphthylene ppm - - 4.10 - - - 

Acenaphthene ppm - - 111.20 - - - 

Fluorene ppm 3,600.00 - 216.00 - 220.00 - 

C1-Fluorene ppm - - 658.80 - - - 

C2-Fluorene ppm - - 1,277.00 - - - 

C3-Fluorene ppm - - 1,243.80 - - - 

Anthracene ppm - - 96.40 - - - 

Phenanthrene(s) ppm 0 - 429 - 778.20 

482 - 

116,000 - - 

C1-Phenanthrene/anthracene ppm - - 2116.3 - - - 

C2-Phenanthrene/anthracene ppm - - 2,716.70 - - - 

C3-Phenanthrene/anthracene ppm - - 1,923.30 - - - 

C4-Phenanthrene/anthracene ppm - - 820.50 - - - 

Dibenzothiophene ppm - - 25.70 - - - 

C1-Dibenzothiophene ppm - - 1,396.10 - - - 

C2-Dibenzothiophene ppm - - 2,155.90 - - - 

C3-Dibenzothiophene ppm - - 1,975.50 - - - 

Fluoranthene ppm 37.00 - 31.60 240.00 - - 

Pyrene ppm 41.00 - 177.90 23.00 - - 

C1-Fluoranthene/pyrene ppm - - 566.10 - - - 

Benzo(a)anthracene ppm - - 41.10 - 1,900.00 - 

Chrysene ppm 2.20 - 74.30 196.00 2,700.00 - 

C1-Chrysene ppm - - 312.10 - - - 

C2-Chrysene ppm - - 370.80 - - - 

C3-Chrysene ppm - - 29.90 - - - 

C4-Chrysene ppm - - 19.70 - - - 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene ppm - - 11.00 - 540.00 - 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene ppm - - 0.60 - - - 

Benzo(e)pyrene ppm 0.10 - 29.80 10.00 - - 

Benzo(a)pyrene ppm 0.60 - 19.30 44.00 960.00 - 
 

16

Table 3-2: Organic Compound Constituents in Fuel Oils 

COMPONENT UNITS NO. 2 

FUEL OIL1

NO. 4 

FUEL 

OIL 

NO. 5 

FUEL 

OIL1,2

NO. 6 

FUEL OIL1

NO. 2-6 

FUEL 

OIL3

DIESEL 

FUEL 

Perylene ppm - - 10.60 22.00 - - 

Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene ppm - - 2.30 - - - 

Dibenz(a,h)anthracene ppm - - 4.00 - - - 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene ppm - - 11.40 - - - 

Methylnaphthalenes ppm 21,000.00 - - 26,000.00 - - 

1-Methylphenanthrene ppm 173.00 - - 43.00 - - 

2-Methylphenanthrene ppm 7,677.00 - - 828.00 - - 

Benz(a)anthracene ppm 1.20 - - 90.00 - - 

Triphenylene ppm 1.40 - - 31.00 - - 

1-Methylnaphthalene ppm 8,200.00 - - - - - 

2-Methylnaphthalene ppm 18,900.00 - - - - - 

Dimethylnaphthalenes ppm 

31,100 -

32,000 - - - - - 

Trimethylnaphthalenes ppm 18,400.00 - - - - - 

Benzenes ppm 103,000.00 - - 19,000.00 - - 

Indans and tetralins ppm 73,000.00 - - 21,000.00 - - 

Dinaphthenobenzenes ppm 46,000.00 - - 20,000.00 - - 

Acenaphthenes ppm 38,000.00 - - 31,000.00 - - 

Acenaphthalenes ppm 54,000.00 - - 70,000.00 - - 

Notes: 

1. Irwin, R.J., M. VanMouwerik, L. Stevens, M.D. Seese, and W. Basham. 1997. Environmental Contaminants 

Encyclopedia. National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, Colorado. 

2. The listed PAHs and alkyl PAHs were analyzed by a GC/MS/SIM NOAA protocol [828] modified with methylene 

chloride extraction for use with water samples (Original citation from Irwin, et al. 1997: Guy Denoux, Geochemical and 

Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, personal communication, 1996). Details of PAH content (ng/mg 

or ppm) in one fresh sample of NSFO (Original citation from Irwin, et al. 1997: Fuel Oil 5, Chuck Rafkind, National Park 

Service, Personal Communication, 1996) 

3. (a) Stultz & Kitto, eds, 1992 “Steam: It’s Generation and Use,” 40th Edition; (b) Perry, R.H., Green, D.W., Mahoney, 

J.O., “Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, 1997, 7th Edition, McGraw Hill; (c) USEPA, 1999 “Final Technical 

Support Document for Hazardous MACT Standards,” Vol. IV: Compliance with the HWC MACT Standards” Ch.17. 
17

Table 3-3: Elemental Composition of Fuel Oils 

DATA FROM LITERATURE5 DATA FROM EPA/OAQPS SURVEY 

ELEMENT UNITS 

NO. 1 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 2 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 4 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 5 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 6 

FUEL 

OIL AVG 

NO. 

2-6 

FUEL 

OIL4,5

NO. 2 

FUEL OIL 

AVG2,6, 

(RANGE)2

NO. 4 

FUEL OIL 

AVG2,3,6, 

(RANGE)2,3

NO. 5 

FUEL OIL 

AVG1,2,6 

(RANGE)1,2

NO. 6 FUEL 

AVG2,6

(RANGE)

Carbon (C) ppm 

864,000 873,000 864,000 - 850,000- 870,000 - 873,0007 - - (850,000-870

Hydrogen (H) ppm 

136,000 126,000 117,000 - 104,000- 110,000 - 126,0007 - - (104,000-110

Oxygen (O) ppm 

100 400 2,700 - 4,000- 6,000 - 4,0007 - - (4,000-6

Nitrogen (N) ppm 

60 30 2,400 - 200-400 60-

2,800 37 - - 

225

(2,000 - 3

Sulfur (S) ppm 

900 2,200 13,500 - 8,000- 40,000 900- 40,000 1366.667 (1,300 - 1,500) - 0 1461

(14,370 - 14

Chlorine (Cl) ppm 

- 

- 

226.418 

(0. 5 - 

1,176) 

12.585 

(5 – 100) 

480.3 

(205.6 - 

7553) 

Fluorine (F) ppm 

220 

- 

14.095 

(4 – 40) 

3850.769 

(5 - 50,000) - 

Silver (Ag) ppm <2.3 < 2.3 - - - Arsenic (As) ppm 

<0.23 

< 0.23 

2.532 

(0 - 10.6) 

0.200 

(0.05 – 2) 

0 

(0.03) 

Barium (Ba) ppm 

<23 

< 23 - - - 
18

Table 3-3: Elemental Composition of Fuel Oils 

DATA FROM LITERATURE5 DATA FROM EPA/OAQPS SURVEY 

ELEMENT UNITS 

NO. 1 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 2 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 4 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 5 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 6 

FUEL 

OIL AVG 

NO. 

2-6 

FUEL 

OIL4,5

NO. 2 

FUEL OIL 

AVG2,6, 

(RANGE)2

NO. 4 

FUEL OIL 

AVG2,3,6, 

(RANGE)2,3

NO. 5 

FUEL OIL 

AVG1,2,6 

(RANGE)1,2

NO. 6 FUEL 

AVG2,6

(RANGE)

Beryllium (Be) ppm 

<1.2 

< 1.2 

0.942 

(0 – 19) 

1.000 

(1.00) 

0.00 

(0.03) 

Cadmium (Cd) ppm 

<1.2 

< 1.2 

0.559 

(0 - 

3.0225) 

1.000 

(1.00) 0.886 

Cobalt (Co) ppm 

<4.6 

< 4.6 

0.529 

(0.1 - 1.2) 

0.963 

(0.524 – 1) 

- 

(0.1981) 

Chromium (Cr) ppm 

<2.3 

< 2.3 

17.622 

(0 - 1,310) 

1.000 

(1.00) 

1.23 

(0.981 - 

1.4691,3) 

Copper (Cu) ppm 

- 

- - - 

- 

(0.3211) 

Iron (Fe) ppm - - - - 

-

(241) 

Mercury (Hg) ppm 

<0.25 

< 0.25 

0.056 

(0.001 - 

0.192) 

0.047 

(0.008 - 

0.05) 

0 

(0.03) 

Manganese (Mn) ppm 

<1.2 

< 1.2 

1.231 

(0 – 7) 

1.196 

(1 - 3.55) 

2.3895 

(0.248 - 

2.4671,3) 

Molybdenum (Mo) ppm 

- 

- - - 

- 

(0.1171) 

Nickel (Ni) ppm 

4.7-106 4.7-

106 

2.564 

(0 – 29) 

1.627 

(1 - 9.15) 

1.991 

(0.10 - 

29.01,3) 4.

Phosphorus (P) ppm 

- 

- 

7.926 

(0.01 – 20) 

36.792 

(1 - 429.2) 

- - 
19

Table 3-3: Elemental Composition of Fuel Oils 

DATA FROM LITERATURE5 DATA FROM EPA/OAQPS SURVEY 

ELEMENT UNITS 

NO. 1 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 2 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 4 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 5 

FUEL 

OIL 

AVG 

NO. 6 

FUEL 

OIL AVG 

NO. 

2-6 

FUEL 

OIL4,5

NO. 2 

FUEL OIL 

AVG2,6, 

(RANGE)2

NO. 4 

FUEL OIL 

AVG2,3,6, 

(RANGE)2,3

NO. 5 

FUEL OIL 

AVG1,2,6 

(RANGE)1,2

NO. 6 FUEL 

AVG2,6

(RANGE)

Lead (Pb) ppm 

7-57 7.0-

57.0 

2.359 

(0 - 8.4) 

1.212 

(1 - 3.75) 

10.425 

(8.249 - 

12.6013) 7.0

Antimony (Sb) ppm 

<12 

< 12 

3.618 

(0.1 – 6) 

1.154 

(1 – 3) - 

Selenium (Se) ppm 

<0.23 

< 0.23 

4.370 

(0 – 25) 

1.077 

(1 – 2) 

0.1575 

(0 - 0.3153) 

Thallium (Tl) ppm 

<23 

< 23 - - - 

Vanadium (V) ppm 

- 

- - - 

- 

(1521) 

Zinc (Zn) ppm - - - - (1.731) Notes: 1. Irwin, R.J., M. VanMouwerik, L. Stevens, M.D. Seese, and W. Basham. 1997. Environmental Contaminants Encyclopedia. National Park Service, Wa

Fort Collins, Colorado. 2. (a) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010b. Emissions Database for Bo

Heaters Containing Stack Test, CEM, & Fuel Analysis Data Reported under ICR No. 2286.01 and ICR No. 2286.03 (version 5), EPA Docket/Document Nu

2002-0058-0789. April 30, 2010; (b) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 20Database Proposed Approach, EPA Docket/Document Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-0045. April 13, 2010. 3. Database reports both as received and dry basis values. These values are as received. 4. Metals represent a range of values seen for a total of nineteen fuel oil #2, #4, and #6 samples during the development of the comparable fuel spec

5. (a) Stultz & Kitto, eds, 1992 “Steam: It’s Generation and Use,” 40th Edition; (b) Perry, R.H., Green, D.W., Mahoney, J.O., “Perry’s Chemical Engin

7th Edition, McGraw Hill; (c) USEPA, 1999 “Final Technical Support Document for Hazardous MACT Standards,” Vol. IV: Compliance with the HWC MA

6. Some range values appeared high, so average values are presented. 7. (a) Avallone & Baumeister (1987), USGS (2001), Davidson (1996), Fernandez-Martinez (2000), Stultz & Kitto (1992), Perry et al. (1997), USEPA (199
 

20

3.2 Other Petroleum Derivatives 

Petroleum Coke – Petroleum 

coke is produced when vacuum 

distillation residues from the 

petroleum refining process are 

sent through a coker where most 

of the volatiles are burned off. 

Petroleum coke may be called 

delayed coke or fluid coke, 

depending on the type of 

process/reactor used. Table 3-4 

provides an ultimate and 

proximate analysis for petroleum 

coke based on data from 

Avallone & Baumeister and 

Stultz & Kitto. 

Petroleum coke is used as the 

primary fuel or as supplementary 

fuel in fluidized bed boilers as 

well as a supplementary fuel in 

pulverized coal boilers and 

cyclone boilers.23 

Table 3-4 also provides a detailed ash analysis for petroleum coke.24 As indicated in the 

table, nickel and vanadium levels are high similar to the residual fuel oils because heavy 

metals tend to concentrate in the heavier fraction of crude oil from which petroleum coke 

is produced. 

 

 

23 Tilman, D.A., et al, 2004, “Fuels of Opportunity, Elsevier. 24 Ibid.

Table 3-4: Selected Analysis of Petroleum Coke Samples
 

21

Table 3-5: Composition of Refinery Gas 

Table 3-6: Composition of Asphalt 

Refinery Gas – Refinery gas is a 

general term describing the noncondensable fractions from various 

refinery processes, including 

atmospheric distillation, coking, 

reforming and cracking. These gases 

are sometimes blended together and are 

typically used by refineries for their 

energy value. 

The composition of refinery gas is 

highly variable, although the primary 

constituents are C1-C4 hydrocarbons25

(methane, ethane and propane in 

particular). Table 3-3- presents 

composition information for two 

blended refinery gas samples and 

composition data from a 2003 lifecycle emissions study.26,27 

Estimated heating values for refinery gas are on the order of 1300-1500 Btu/scf. On a 

volume basis this is a little higher than natural gas because refinery gas contains a greater 

fraction of heavier gases. 

Asphalts – Asphalt is made from the residue 

that remains after the vacuum distillation 

process at petroleum refineries. It has a 

consistency ranging from a viscous liquid to a 

glassy solid.28 Table 3-4 presents an ultimate 

analysis range for four asphalt samples.29 

Impurities include sulfur, vanadium and nickel 

and their reported concentrations are highly 

dependent on the source crude. Heating 

values for asphalt are on the order of 17,000-

18,000 Btu/lb.30

Asphalt is primarily used as a paving and 

roofing material. Asphalt is also used in 

 

25 Hydrocarbons with one to four carbon atoms. 

26 Baukal & Schwartz, 2001, “The John Zink Combustion Handbook” CRC Press 

27 Delucchi, M., 2003 “A Lifecycle Emissions Model: LifeCycle Emissions from Transportation Fuels, 

Motor Vehicles, Transportation Modes, Electricity Use, Heating and Cooking Fuels, and Materials., UCDITS-RR-03-17, available from http://www.repositories.cdlib.org/itsdavis 28 Speight, J.G. 2006, “The Chemistry and Technology of Petroleum,” CRC Press. 

29 Wess, J., et al, 2004, “Asphalt (Bitumen), Concise International Assessment Document 59, World 

Health Organization” 

30 Cross, R., 1919, “A Handbook of Petroleum, Asphalt, and Natural Gas” Kansas City Testing Laboratory. 
 

22

asphalt-based paints, in lining irrigation canals and water reservoirs, and in adhesives in 

electrical laminates.31 Although the use of asphalt as a fuel is not common, boilers have 

been designed to burn asphalt.32

4 Natural Gas 

Natural gas is widely used by boilers due to its low content of ash, ease of 

handling, and ease of combustion. In addition, natural gas is a cleaner burning fuel than 

other fossil fuels. The primary constituent of natural gas is methane. Other paraffinic 

hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, and butane, as well as other diluents gases (e.g., 

nitrogen), may be also present. Table 4-1 presents the composition of natural gas, as 

reported in the literature and from field samples, and as reported to EPA as part of the 

Clean Air Act Section 112 Boiler MACT rulemaking and the Section 129 rulemaking for 

commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators.

 

31 Wess, op cit. 32 Hunt, P.J., et al, 1999, “Boiler Designs for Asphalt Fuels,” POWER-GEN ‘99 International, New 

Orleans, Louisiana, November, 1999.
23

Table 4-1: Composition and Properties of Natural Gas 

CONSTITUENTS, % BY 

VOLUME 

SELECTED SAMPLES OF NATURAL GAS 

FROM U.S. FIELDS1

EPA/OAQPS SURVEY 

AVERAGES DATA PRESENTED IN LIT

PA SO. CA OH LA OK 

NATURAL 

GAS 

(AVG) 3,4,5

NATURAL 

GAS 

(RANGE) 3,4

PIPELINEa INDUSTRY AVERAGEb BOIL

SA

Hydrogen (H2) - - 1.82 - - - - - 0 Methane (CH4) 83.4 84 93.33 90 84.1 - - 86-95 94 Ethylene (C2H4) - - 0.25 - - - - - - Ethane (C2H6) 15.8 14.8 - 5 6.7 - - 2.5-8.1 3.2 Carbon Monoxide (CO) - - 0.45 - - - - - 0 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - 0.7 0.22 - 0.8 - - 0-1.1 0.8 Nitrogen (N2) 0.8 0.5 3.4 5 8.4 - - 0.31-2.5 0.9 Oxygen (O2) - - 0.35 - - - - - - Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) - - 0.18 - - - - - - Propane (C3H8) - - - - - - - 0.6-2.8 0.8 Butane (C3H8) - - - - - - - 0.13-0.66 0.3 TRACE ORGANICS, PPM BY VOLUME Benzene (C6H6) - - - - - - - - - Toluene (C7H8) - - - - - - - - - ULTIMATE, % BY WEIGHT (elemental values not additive with the values above)Sulfur (S) - - 0.34 - - - - - - Hydrogen (H2) 23.53 23.3 23.2 22.68 20.85 - - - - Carbon (C) 75.25 74.72 69.12 69.26 64.84 - - - - Nitrogen (N2) 1.22 0.76 5.76 8.06 12.9 - - - - Oxygen (O2) - 1.22 1.58 - 1.41 

- -

- - 
24

Table 4-1: Composition and Properties of Natural Gas 

CONSTITUENTS, % BY 

VOLUME 

SELECTED SAMPLES OF NATURAL GAS 

FROM U.S. FIELDS1

EPA/OAQPS SURVEY 

AVERAGES DATA PRESENTED IN LIT

PA SO. CA OH LA OK 

NATURAL 

GAS 

(AVG) 3,4,5

NATURAL 

GAS 

(RANGE) 3,4

PIPELINEa INDUSTRY AVERAGEb BOIL

SA

ULTIMATE, PPM BY WEIGHT Arsenic (As) - - - - - 72.400 35.5 - 86.5 - - Beryllium (Be) - - - - - 32.783 20.3 - 45.6 - - Cadmium (Cd) - - - - - 4.683 3.6 - 8.3 - - Chlorine (Cl) - - - - - 2598.667 2140 - 2870 - - Chromium (Cr) - - - - - 227.400

164.3 -

274.6 - - 

Lead (Pb) - - - - - 64.667 55.2 - 78.2 - - Manganese (Mn) - - - - - 142.483

102.4 -

165.5 - - 

Mercury (Hg) - - - - - 0.036

0.022 -

0.051 - - 

Nickel (Ni) - - - - - 259.683

179.5 -

328.6 - - 

Selenium (Se) - - - - - 0.040 0.01 - 0.08 - - Heat Value (Btu/cubic foot) - - - - - - - 1020-1090 - Specific Gravity - - - - - - - 0.59-0.64 - Notes:1. Benoit, Michel R., public comment in response to EPA’s Proposed Rulemaking for Identification of Non-Hazardous Materials That Are Solid Waste, EPA 0329, submitted on behalf of the Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition, August 3, 2010 2. (a) Perry, R.H., Green, D.W., Mahoney, J.O., “Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook,” 1997, 7th Edition, McGraw Hill; (b) Delucchi, M., 2003 “A LifeLifeCycle Emissions from Transportation Fuels, Motor Vehicles, Transportation Modes, Electricity Use, Heating and Cooking Fuels, and Materials.,” UCD-http://www.repositories.cdlib.org/itsdavis. (c) Kidnay, A.J., et al, 2006 “Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing” CRC Press. 3. (a) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010b. Emissions Database for BoileContaining Stack Test, CEM, & Fuel Analysis Data Reported under ICR No. 2286.01 and ICR No. 2286.03 (version 5), EPA Docket/Document Number EPA-H30, 2010; (b) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010. CISWI 2009 Database Docket/Document Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-0045. April 13, 2010. 4. Database reports both as received and dry basis values. These values are on a dry basis. 5. Some range values appeared high, so average values are presented. 
 

25

Heating Value: The heating value of natural gas, like its composition, varies by region 

but usually is in the range from 950-1150 Btu per cubic feet. Diluents include carbon 

dioxide and nitrogen. 

Impurities: Trace contaminants found in natural gas include hydrogen sulfide and other 

sulfur compounds. If naturally occurring levels are high, these compounds are removed 

using various processes because most pipeline specifications limit the level of sulfur 

compounds that may be contained in pipeline gas.33 Other impurities may include 

mercury in very low levels. As Table 4-1 indicates, mercury levels are well below one 

part per billion (ppbv) for pipeline specifications and below one part per million in gas 

samples analyzed by units surveyed by EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and 

Standards.34 Trace levels of odorants (eg. mercaptans) are often added to pipeline gas, 

which allows natural gas leaks to be easily detected. 

Trace organics: Only limited information on the organics content of natural gas was 

readily available. The one organics analysis identified examined volatile organics 

concentrations in natural gas samples from three California utility plants.35 Only two 40 

CFR 261 Appendix VIII hazardous organics were detected. (See Table 4-1). 

5 Wood 

Wood is burned primarily in industries where wood residues are obtained as a byproduct.36 

Table 5-1 shows the properties of wood on a dry basis and an ash analysis based on data 

from various sources. Wood has a lower carbon content and a much higher oxygen 

content compared to coal. Tables 5-2 provides a proximate analysis for wood, while 

Table 5-3 presents information on the organic compounds present in wood. 

Heating values for wood (on a dry basis) are in the range 8000-9000 Btu/lb. Wet wood 

can have a significantly lower heating value. As indicated in Table 5-1, the sulfur 

content of wood is relatively low. Trace metals in wood may include lead and cadmium. 

 

33 Natural gas with a high level of hydrogen sulfide is called sour gas. 

34 Kidnay, A.J., et al, 2006 “Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing” CRC Press; U.S. EPA, Office of Air 

Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). Emissions Database for Boilers and Process Heaters 

Containing Stack Test, CEM, & Fuel Analysis Data Reported under ICR No. 2286.01 and ICR No. 2286.03 

(version 5), EPA Docket/Document Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0058-0789. April 30, 2010; and U.S. 

EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). CISWI 2009 Database Proposed Approach, 

EPA Docket/Document Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-0045. April 13, 2010. 

35 Chow, W., & Conner, K.K., 1993, “Managing Hazardous Air Pollutants: State of the Art, CRC Press. 36 USEPA, 2003, AP-42, Ch.1.6, “Wood Residue Combustion in Boilers”, 

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch01/final/c01s06.pdf, accessed Nov 2008. 
26

Table 5-1: Properties of Wood (Dry Basis) 

Data from Literature Data from EPA/OAQPS 

COMPONENT UNITS 

UNTREATED 

WOOD1,2

VIRGIN 

WOOD7 

WOODCHIPS 

(SPRUCE)3

BARK 

(SPRUCE)3

STRAW 

(WHEAT, 

RYE, 

BARLEY)

3

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

LUMBER 

(AVG)4,6

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

LUMBER 

(RANGE) 4

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

TIMBER 

(AVG)4,6

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

TIMBER 

(RANGE) 4

Carbon (C) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

424,000 - 

597,000 233,000 - - - - - - - 

Hydrogen (H) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

45,500 - 

89,000 29,000 - - - - - - - 

Oxygen (O) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

331,000 - 

525,000 175,000 - - - - - - - 

Nitrogen (N) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

200 - 

42,800 9,000 - - - - - - - 

Sulfur (S) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0 - 8,800 2,000 - - - - - - - 

Chlorine (Cl) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

0 - 

11,890 - - - - 193.667 

0.01 -

1,600 132.3753 0.012 - 414 

Fluorine (F) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0 - 490 - - - - 14.667 10 - 20 27.625 20 - 50 

Bromine (Br) 

mg/kg (ppm) - - - - - - - - - 

Aluminum (Al) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

0.4 - 

5,620 - 79-580 330-1,500 11-810 - - - - 

Arsenic (As) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0 - 6.8 

0.00158

5 0-1.5 0.2-5 1.6 21.137 0.12 - 140 32.792 0.3 - 1,180 

Boron (B) 

mg/kg (ppm) 2 - 37 0.2725 - - - - - - - 

Barium (Ba) 

mg/kg (ppm) 1.2 - 540 - - - - - - - - 

Beryllium (Be) 

mg/kg (ppm) - - - - - 32.506 0 - 290 0.811 0.01 - 22 

Calcium (Ca) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

800 - 

52,000 - 2,900-7,000 

7,700-

18,000 

440-

7,000 - - - - 

Cadmium (Cd) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0 - 3 0.134 0.06-0.4 0.2-0.9 0.03-0.22 8.169 0.01 - 140 5.117 0.01 - 205 

Cobalt (Co) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.1 - 24 - - - - 0 0 0.912 0.1 - 11.8 

Chromium (Cr) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.3 - 130 0.1305 1.6-17 1.6-14 1.1-4.1 61.941 0 - 960 494.595 

0.14 -

25,100 

Copper (Cu) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.3 - 400 0.00965 0.3-4.1 105-8.0 1.1-4.2 - - - - 

Iron (Fe) 

mg/kg (ppm) 6 - 3,600 - 64-340 280-1,200 42-850 - - - - 
27

Table 5-1: Properties of Wood (Dry Basis) 

Data from Literature Data from EPA/OAQPS 

COMPONENT UNITS 

UNTREATED 

WOOD1,2

VIRGIN 

WOOD7 

WOODCHIPS 

(SPRUCE)3

BARK 

(SPRUCE)3

STRAW 

(WHEAT, 

RYE, 

BARLEY)

3

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

LUMBER 

(AVG)4,6

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

LUMBER 

(RANGE) 4

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

TIMBER 

(AVG)4,6

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

TIMBER 

(RANGE) 4

Mercury (Hg) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0 - 2 0.197 0.01-0.17 0.01-0.17 0.01 0.0188 0 - 0.411 1.522 

0.0005 -

100 

Potassium (K) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

88 - 

7,300 - 910-1,500 

1,500-

3,600 

320-

21,000 - - - - 

Magnesium (Mg) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

107 - 

6,100 - 310-800 960-2,400 

100-

3,200 - - - - 

Manganese (Mn) 

mg/kg (ppm) 7.9 - 840 - 63-900 430-1,300 14-44 5424.598 

7.5 -

88,000 2497.04 

9.54 -

122,000 

Molybdenum (Mo) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.2 - 25 - 0.8-1.5 0.1-5 0.9-1.1 - - - - 

Sodium (Na) 

mg/kg (ppm) 3 - 3,600 - 20-110 71-530 56-4,800 - - - - 

Nickel (Ni) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.4 - 540 0.183 1.7-11 1.6-13 0.7-2.1 50.854 

0.13 -

1019 283.858 

0.06 -

14,400 

Phosphorus (P) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

29 - 

1,500 - 97-340 380-670 

110-

2,900 208.583 137 - 330 134.5375 73.7 - 235 

Lead (Pb) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.2 - 340 0.3255 0.3-2.7 0.9-4.4 0.1-3 37.888 

0.033 -

510 113.718 0.2 - 4,690 

Antimony (Sb) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0 - 26 - - - - 0.375 0.1 - 0.9 - - 

Selenium (Se) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

0.1 - 

20.6 

0.00007

5 - - - 65.725 0 - 580 87.840 0.06 - 2,420 

Silicon (Si) 

mg/kg (ppm) 

1 - 

48,000 - 440-2,900 

2,000-

11,000 

4,200-

27,000 - - - - 

Tin (Sn) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.1 - 10 - - - - - - - - 

Strontium (Sr) 

mg/kg (ppm) 4 - 49 - - - - - - - - 

Tellurium (Te) 

mg/kg (ppm) 1 - 20 - - - - - - - - 

Titanium (Ti) 

mg/kg (ppm) 1.3 - 210 - - - - - - - - 

Vanadium (V) 

mg/kg (ppm) 0.1 - 23 - 0.6-1.4 0.6-5 0.2-3 - - - - 

Zinc (Zn) 

mg/kg (ppm) 2.2 - 303 - 7.0-90 90-280 11.0-57 - - - - 
28

Table 5-1: Properties of Wood (Dry Basis) 

Data from Literature Data from EPA/OAQPS 

COMPONENT UNITS 

UNTREATED 

WOOD1,2

VIRGIN 

WOOD7 

WOODCHIPS 

(SPRUCE)3

BARK 

(SPRUCE)3

STRAW 

(WHEAT, 

RYE, 

BARLEY)

3

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

LUMBER 

(AVG)4,6

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

LUMBER 

(RANGE) 4

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

TIMBER 

(AVG)4,6

WOOD: 

UNADULTERATED 

TIMBER 

(RANGE) 4

Notes: All values presented on a dry basis. n.m. = not measured1. Phyllis, database for biomass and waste, http://www.ecn.nl/phyllis, Energy research Centre of the Netherlands 2. All figures reported as the average composition of a group of untreated wood materials. Materials include Bark, beech, birch, cork, fir/pine/spruchard wood, other soft wood, others park waste wood, poplar, tropical hard wood, and willow. 3. Van Loo, Sjaak and Koppejan, Jaap. "The Handbook of Biomass Combustion & Co-firing." Earthscan Publishing, 2008. Pp 44-55.

4. (a) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010b. Emissions Database for Bo

Containing Stack Test, CEM, & Fuel Analysis Data Reported under ICR No. 2286.01 and ICR No. 2286.03 (version 5), EPA Docket/Document Number EP

30, 2010; (b) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 2010. CISWI 2009 Databa

Docket/Document Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0119-0045. April 13, 2010. 5. Stultz & Kitto, eds, 1992 “Steam: It’s Generation and Use,” 40th Edition. 6. Some range values appeared infeasibly high, so average values are presented. 7. Jambeck, et al. (2007) 8. The maximum chlorine value reported for bark reflects a limited number of units that reported chlorine values of 100 pounds per MMBtu of bark b

have been reporting a detection limit, as the 95th percentile of the reported chlorine values for bark is 1,450 ppm. Because the high-end outlier valu

average chlorine value reported in the table is a median value rather than the mean value.
 

29

Table 5-2: Promiate Wood Analysis and Wood Ash 

Analysis 

PROXIMATE 

ANALYSIS UNITS UNTREATED WOOD1

WOOD, 

DRY 

BASIS2

Water content wt% 1 - 71.2 - 

Volatiles wt% 54.9 - 94.9 70-76 

Ash wt% 0 - 39.4 - 

Fixed Carbon wt% - 19-27 

Ash Composition (% of 

Ash) 

Silicon Dioxide wt% - 11.0-39 

Aluminum Oxide wt% - 0.1-14 

Ferric Oxide wt% - 3.0-6.4 

Calcium Oxide wt% - 6.0-64 

Sodium Oxide wt% - 1.3-13 

Notes:

1. Phyllis, database for biomass and waste, 

http://www.ecn.nl/phyllis, Energy research Centre of the 

Netherlands 

2. Stultz & Kitto, eds, 1992 “Steam: It’s Generation and Use,” 

40th Edition.
 

30

Table 5-3: Organic Components of Wood 

Compound wt.%

Cellulose 8.8 - 82.5 

Hemicellulose 5.5 - 43.5 

Lignine 4.1 - 50 

Lignin Acid Insoluble 19 - 28 

Lignin Acid Soluble 0 - 5 

Lipids 2 - 17.8 

Proteine 0 - 20.1 

Extractives (EtOH/toluene) 0.8 - 6.5 

Extractives 95% (EtOH) 0.3 - 3.2 

Extractives Hot Water 1 - 16.4 

Starch 1.7 - 1.7 

Pectin 4.4 - 6.1 

Arabinan C5 0 - 2 

Xylan C5 3.4 - 27.7 

Mannan C6 0 - 14.4 

Galactan C6 0 - 4.4 

Glucan C6 34.6 - 56 

Rhamnan C6 0.1 - 0.4 

Total non-structural carbohydrates 26.5 - 26.5 

Notes: All values presented on a dry basis. n.m. = not measured 

1. Phyllis, database for biomass and waste, http://www.ecn.nl/phyllis, 

Energy research Centre of the Netherlands 

2. All figures reported as the average composition of a group of 

untreated wood materials. Materials include Bark, beech, birch, cork, 

fir/pine/spruce, leaves, needles, oak, other hard wood, other soft wood, 

others park waste wood, poplar, tropical hard wood, and willow.
 

31

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